3.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,238 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Mazda RX-8 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Mazda RX-8 Owner Comments

problem #15

Aug 152014

RX-8

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil cooler coupling severely rotted to the point of failure (hoses looked fine just the coupling areas). Warranty will not cover parts and Mazda has recalled in Canada (special service #76), which is 30 miles from my home but will not do anything to help me in the states. Repair cost is over $1300 for new lines.

- Richmond, MI, USA

problem #14

Jul 042007

RX-8

  • 25,000 miles
Vehicle engine loses power and stalls after driving at operating temperature in hot weather. Failure symptoms are most noticeable after driving at highway speed, and will present as a significant loss of power followed by stalling as the vehicle decelerates. Manufacturer has extended the engine warranty to 100,000 miles and will de-carbon the engine and replace spark plugs when reported. However, this solution is not a permanent repair, and symptoms return upon driving within twelve months.

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #13

May 022011

RX-8

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Rx-8. the contact stated the ehicle stalled when the rpms increased to approximately 1000. The contact stated the check engine light came on and the vehicle stalled. Several dealers were notified; however, the contact was unable have the failure diagnosed. The failure mileage was 62,000. The current mileage was 64,000.

- Springhill, FL, USA

problem #12

May 132011

RX-8

  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda RX8. While driving 10 mph, the contact stated that check engine warning light illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The dealer informed the contact that there were no related recalls and to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired or inspected. The current mileage was 55,206 and the approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- Springhill , FL, USA

problem #11

Jan 022011

RX-8

  • 46,000 miles
I have had so many problems with my 2005 Mazda Rx-8. starting with cold air coming from heater. Now the biggest problem is my car needs a new catalytic converter and a new starter according to the Mazda guys. If it's not one thing it's another with this car.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 162010

RX-8

  • 68,000 miles
Oil cooler metal hoses have corroded due to road salt and driving in snowy areas (Massachusetts). There is a recall in Canada (special service program 76) for the Mazda RX8 due to oil cooler lines getting corroded. Weather in the northern states of United States is similar - I don't know why that is also not a problem for us and there is no recall in the usa. The rest of the car seems corrosion free and the car was washed every week in the winter and about once a month in the summer, specifically to get rid of road salt. Dealer charge with parts and labor to replace the oil lines is $2100 !! car has 68,000 miles on it and is a 2005 model. My guess is the oil cooler lines were made of a bad material if they are corroding so easily while nothing else corrodes.

- Natick, MA, USA

problem #9

Nov 032010

RX-8

  • 66,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2005 RX8 continually leaked oil to the point of the engine oil light coming on. Since RX8's consume oil in the combustion process, at first this seemed somewhat normal. After a few days of adding oil only to have the light come back on, I took my car to the dealer. The mechanic brought me out to the car to show me that the oil cooling lines had been rusted out and as he put it "were spraying oil". aside from the fact that Mazda used parts that don't resist corrosion, this is a safety issue as the lines were literally spraying oil and had the potential to spray oil onto the wheels/brakes creating a hazardous situation. Mazda is now charging an exorbitant amount to repair something that shouldn't be occurring in the first place. This exact problem has led to a recall in Canada, but Mazda claims there aren't enough occurrences in the usa. That does not sit well with owners who commonly have this problem of which there are many that I have encountered on the internet.

- Medfield, MA, USA

problem #8

Jul 222009

RX-8

  • 35,367 miles
I own a 2005 Mazda RX8 with 35,000 miles on the car. It had to be taken to the dealership recently for a rough idle and hard start problem. After much costly investigation (costly to me 590$), it was found that my renesis engine is losing compression and could possibly fail at any moment. After contacting corporate hq about this problem the dealership tested the engine which passed by a minimal percent, just enough not to replace the engine under warranty. After some personal research on this matter, I've found hundreds of other RX8 owners having the same problem with little or no help from Mazda other than replacing the damaged engine with the same model of faulty engine. Reports from owners of engines dying in the middle of dangerous a intersections and such are very unsettling being an owner myself having the same problem. There have been owners that are now on their second and third engines as well with seemingly no end to the repairs. In my case, the dealership guaranteed that my engine would fail within six months so to "be careful" and "keep and eye on it". this is unacceptable. Obviously there is something seriously wrong with these engines and I think they are unsafe. Mazda has added an extended warranty to these engines for up to 100,000 miles but that does not solve the problem of these engines failing while in motion or in the middle of a busy intersection. It only replaces one burnt out bomb with a bomb with a new fuse. I seriously think this should fall under the "lemon-law" and I would like more to be done about this issue because it seems RX8 owners are being left without options here except to make lemonade from their 30,000$ lemon. Me included.

- Poolesville, MD, USA

problem #7

Jun 232009

RX-8

  • 46,000 miles
I have a Mazda RX8 2005. It repeatedly stalls and has needed a new engine twice in less than a year. Mazda covered the first engine but is now refusing the second. I am aware that these particular vehicles have many problems.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #6

Jan 152009

RX-8

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda RX8. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning and was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that there was internal engine failure. The engine had low compression. The vehicle is currently being repaired, but the contact does not know who will pay for the repair costs. He is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 59,000 and current mileage was 61,000.

- Goldthwaite, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 092009

RX-8

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving the car it cuts off and rolls backwards and could possible hit another car. Was told that service center change maintenance schedule on the car an would not cover a repair like this under warranty due to my neglect of not knowing the new schedule they made up. And because I followed my owners manual that the repair would not be covered. I feel that these cars should be recalled and have the problem fixed to why the cut off this is a danger to anyone who is driving to have a car cut off an roll backwards. My 16 year old daughter drives this car.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #4

Jun 012008

RX-8

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda RX8. The contact noticed that the vehicle idles extremely roughly. He took the vehicle to the dealer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 05V317000 (engine and engine cooling). A technician stated that because his vehicle exceeded its warranty, the contact would have to assume financial responsibility for the repair. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure and current mileages were 24,000.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #3

May 022007

RX-8

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Rx-8. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer ten times. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle also makes a popping sound. While driving 35 to 70 mph, the contact experienced failure with the motor and stated that oil is seeping into the inlet tubes. The mechanic stated that she was using the wrong fuel and recommended burning it out. The mechanic also stated that the vehicle should not have over 60,000 miles. The contact was informed that this failure is normal and there is a defect in the motors and oil in the inlet tube. The repair cost would be $6,000 for a new motor. The manufacturer refused to assist the contact with the failure. The failure began three months after the vehicle was purchased. The field representative at Mazda stated that he was unable to speak with the contact and referred her to someone at the Mazda corporate office. The contact has invoices. The # of cylinders and current and failure mileages were unknown.

- Fayetteville , NC, USA

problem #2

Apr 062007

RX-8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 600 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda RX8. The ABS and traction control light illuminated on 3 occasions. The check engine light also illuminated. The dealer repaired the check engine light 6 times. The failure mileage was 600. The current mileage was 6,000.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #1

Jul 182006

RX-8

  • miles
Purchased a Mazda RX8 2005, on 7-16-2006. Note vehicle was new only 159 miles on odometer. I purchased it from classic Mazda in mentor Ohio and they never advised me of open recall regarding possible fire from leaking fuel tank. Found out from another Mazda dealer where vehicle sits at this time with mechanical issue. My families safety was compromised by greed of classic Mazda by not informing us prior to sale of open safety recall.

- Mentor, OH, USA

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